Little League Baseball & Softball
League Officials Seminar
2012-2013
Please put cell phones
on “Vibrate” or “Silent”
Getting Started
Little League History
LOOKING BACK: HOW IT ALL STARTED
• 1939: Founded by Williamsport, PA resident Carl Stotz
started with 3 teams: Lycoming Dairy, Lundy Lumber and
Jumbo Pretzel. The first season played in a vacant lot
• 1947: Little League expands outside of PA and the first
Little League World Series (known then as the National
Little League Tournament).
• 1949: Little League expands to 307 US leagues and the
Saturday Evening Post does a feature story on the
program highlighting the 1948 National Tournament. Carl
Stotz is inundated with requests for information about the
program.
• 1951: Little League goes international with a league in
British Columbia, Canada and grows to 776 programs.
• 1953: The National Little League Tournament is televised
on ABC with Howard Cosell handling the play-by-play.
Little League History
LOOKING BACK: HOW IT ALL STARTED
• 1964: Little League is granted a Charter of Federal
Incorporation by the U.S. Congress and signed by
President Lyndon B. Johnson. It provides for incorporation
of Little League in all 50 states and endows the program
with protective integrity by the U.S. Government. This
places Little League in the same category as Red Cross,
Boy Scouts, Boys Clubs of America and a select group of
other agencies similarly chartered.
• 1974: Little League rules are revised to allow
participation by girls. Little League Softball and Senior
League Softball programs are created.
• The program continues to grow and expand on all fronts,
becoming what it is today: the largest organized youth
sports program in the world.
Little League History
Organizational Structure/Chain of Command
Little League
International
Regional
Headquarters
District Administrators
Local Little League
Little League Intermediate
(50/70) Baseball Division
Overview of the Intermediate (50/70)
Baseball Division
The Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division of
baseball utilizes a modified baseball field
using a 50-foot pitching distance and 70-foot
base paths. This new division will be
structured for league age 11-13 year olds.
Most competitive travel ball programs as well
as Little League competitors such as Babe
Ruth (Cal Ripken) offer opportunities to play
on a 50/70 size field.
Little League Intermediate
(50/70) Baseball Division
Objective of the Intermediate (50/70)
Baseball Division
1. Provide an opportunity for players to
transition incrementally from a 46/60 field
to a full size 60/90 baseball field.
2. Provide an opportunity for local leagues to
offer a more competitive level of baseball
during the regular season for advanced
players.
3. Allows Little League to adapt with the
changing environment of youth baseball.
Little League Intermediate
(50/70) Baseball Division
Proposed Structure of the Intermediate
(50/70) Baseball Division
•The key to the success of the Intermediate
(50/70) Baseball Division will be flexibility. Our
research during the pilot program phase
indicates that local leagues differ on the ideal
structure for the Intermediate Division.
•As a result, multiple alternatives in structure will
provide more competitive opportunities for
advanced players as well as allow local leagues
the ability to offer the Intermediate (50/70)
Baseball Division of play to all participants within
their league regardless of ability if they so
choose.
Little League Intermediate
(50/70) Baseball Division
Local League Structure Options for the
Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division
District-wide Competitive Structure
―Each local league in a district could register a
Intermediate team. The District Administrator will
develop a schedule that will allow all teams to play
against one another in a competitive regular season
Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division.
Local League Structure – “in house”
―A local league will offer a Intermediate (50/70)
Baseball Division that will consist of players from within
their league who choose to participate in the
Intermediate Division regardless of ability.
*Note: In either structure, tournament teams must
be formed by individual leagues or in a combination
of leagues with regional approval.
Little League Intermediate
(50/70) Baseball Division
Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division
Structure
Other key notes about proposed structure
• Allows areas/leagues that do not have the ability
to adjust their fields to participate in the
Intermediate Division by working with other
leagues who do have 50/70 fields
• Gives local leagues the ability to offer more
competitive regular season play
• Does not require local leagues to limit the
Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division program
to more advanced/competitive players if they are
interested in offering the division to all players
regardless of ability
Little League Intermediate
(50/70) Baseball Division
Local League Age Structure of the
Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division
•In order to provide local leagues the greatest amount of
flexibility when offering the Intermediate (50/70) Baseball
Division, the league age structure will be 11-13.
•Leagues will have the authority to structure the program in
the following ways:
―11-13
―12-13
―11-12
―13 only
―12 only
Charter/Insurance Enrollment Form
Complete the Application for
Charter/Insurance Enrollment Form
• Send early, even if
exact team numbers
not yet determined
• Fees may be
deferred for a
limited time with the
exception of Liability
Insurance
• Fill out completely
Charter/Insurance Enrollment Form
•
•
•
Enter current
season
teams, if
different from
previous year
in the current
season teams
column
Calculate
Charter Fee
by multiplying
number of
teams by rate
and place in
charter fee
column
The same
steps are
followed when
chartering
both baseball
and softball
7
16.00
112.00
25.00
175.00
3
16.00
48.00
48.00
144.00
3
2
16.00
48.00
48.00
144.00
16.00
32.00
48.00
96.00
6
10
14
16.00
224.00
25.00
350.00
12
6
14
16.00
224.00
25.00
350.00
16.00
96.00
25.00
150.00
784.00
•
Calculate Accident Insurance
fee by multiplying number of
teams by insurance rate and
place in the insurance fee
column
1409.00
Charter/Insurance
Crime / Liability Insurance (General Liability
and Directors & Officers Liability) Fees
784.00
1409.00
612.00
1080.00
$24.00
•
•
•
•
•
205.00
2346.90
2 teams or less - $265.00
3-7 teams – $370.00
8-14 teams- $605.00
Above 14 teams - $35.00 per team +
$135 D&O per league
The Crime Insurance fee is pre-printed in section F
The General Liability Fee is based on the number of teams last year
Note there will be a charge for section F (Crime) and G (Liability)
unless they are crossed out
Additional Insured fee is $24.00 each
Note Items B, D (Accident) and G (Liability) Insurances are mandatory
unless proof of local coverage is submitted
Charter/Insurance
League Contact Information
Date Boundary Map
Last Updated________
(570) 555-5321
(570) 555-5555
jdoe@kyle.com
(570) 555-5566
Hometown, PA
•
•
•
Hometown Little League
John Doe, President
123 First St.
Hometown, PA 55555
League and President contact information is pre-printed in the
contact information section
Any changes can be made in the specified area
Identify last date map was updated. (A current map w/ President &
DA signatures and date must be submitted to the Regional Office)
Charter/Insurance
Agreement Section
John Doe
•
•
•
•
11/15/07
Jack Barry
11/15/07
Carefully read the Volunteer Screening Agreement and the
League Chartering Agreement
The Charter Application requires the signature of the President
and the Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary
The application will not be processed if both signatures are not
present.
Be sure to read the disclosure statements on the back of the
application
Insurance Coverage
Accident Coverage
• Rate is based on the number of teams, state, and type of play.
(Range from $23-$60 per team)
• Covers entire YEAR – Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 – OR when you pay
for insurance through Dec. 31 - including practices and special
events (fund-raising, team picnics, etc.)
• Policy term is effective Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 as long as the premiums
are paid in full, and the application/charter are received and
accepted at Little League International prior to Jan. 1
• Coverage terminates prior to Dec. 31 for certain individuals, for
example Players and Coaches at the conclusion of their last
regular season game. Coverage can be available for TAD (Training
& Development and through tournaments approved by Little
League International in Williamsport
• Coverage is secondary, unless the player has no primary
insurance -- then it becomes primary
• Maximum benefit is $100,000 per claim
Insurance Coverage
Liability Coverage
• Includes both General Liability and Directors
& Officers coverage
• Rate quote for the General Liability portion is
based on the number of teams chartered in a
league for the previous season
• General Liability basic limit of $1 million can
be increased upon request for an additional
premium
Crime Insurance
• Protects leagues against monetary loss caused by the
following: dishonesty, disappearance of money, securities
or other property
• Destruction of money or securities
• Maximum limit of $35,000 per loss
• Deductible: $250 for property, $1,000 for money or
securities
• Cost to Leagues: $205
• Written notice shall be given at the earliest practicable
moment, and in no event later than 180 days after such
discovery. Within 60 days after notice is provided, but not
more than 240 days after discovery, full particulars of
proof of loss must be provided
• Does not provide coverage for vandalism, fire or flood
ASAP Program
Requirements for ASAP Plan
1. Have an active Safety Officer
2. Publish, distribute safety manual
3. Post, distribute emergency numbers
4. Check volunteers on National SOR
5. Provide fundamentals training
6. Provide first-aid training
7. Require field inspections before use
ASAP Program
Requirements for ASAP Plan (cont.)
8. Complete annual Facility Survey
9. Use concession stand procedures
10. Regularly inspect and replace
equipment as needed
11. Have prompt accident reporting
12. Require first-aid kits at events
13. Enforce all Little League Rules
14. Qualified Safety Plan Registration form
15. Player and Coach/Manager Data (Highly
Recommended in 2013, Mandatory in 2014)
ASAP Program
• All league safety plan materials must be
postmarked no later than April 1, 2013 to be
eligible for any of the awards.
• Leagues working toward the District Incentive
must have all requirements received at and
approved by Little League International no
later than March 13, 2013.
Winter
Local League
Constitution
•
Constitution: Reviewed & approved
annually by the membership at a duly
organized meeting as provided in Article
XII of the Model Constitution
•
Forwarded to Regional Headquarters to be
reviewed
Constitution
•
Board of Directors may not deviate from
document
By-Laws/Local
League Rules
•
The Constitution spells out the duties and
responsibilities of the officers of the board,
definition of membership, election
procedures, meeting requirements such as
quorum, etc.
•
Legally-Binding Document
Local League
By-Laws/ Local League Rules
• By-Laws/Local League Rules: created each season
by the Board of Directors
• Must be in compliance with Little League Rules &
Regulations
• Sent to DA for review and waivers requested, when
necessary
• This document expires annually at the end of the
fiscal year and must be renewed annually
• They normally include the local board’s procedures
for Age Structure, Selection of Tournament Teams
(All Stars), specific ground rules for various divisions,
etc.
Constitution/By-laws
Best Practices
•
Make all general documents available to any Member of the
local league
•
Strongly recommended to post or distribute at registration(s)
•
Review Constitution and By-Laws annually and make any
necessary changes.
•
Make all documents “transparent”. No information on
Constitution or By-Laws should be a secret.
•
Hold a Parent Meeting or Parent Orientation to go over how
to become a member, draft procedure, tournament selection
process, etc.
Incorporation & Finances
• Has the Board submitted proper Incorporation papers
with the state? (if applicable)
• Has the Board submitted the proper 990 federal tax form
for fiscal year? (e-Postcard 990-N if under $50,000 in
gross receipts, Form 990-EZ with Schedule A if over
$50,000, or Form 990 with Schedule A if over
$1,000,000)
• Has the Board submitted proper State tax form for sales
tax on revenue for fiscal year? (if applicable)
• Remember that the Articles of Incorporation on file with
the state, as well as the local league’s Constitution, are
BOTH legally binding. They must not conflict and should
be periodically checked for inconsistencies.
Incorporation & Finances
For further information regarding
incorporation and/or finances, contact:
Becky Bassett at
570-326-1921 ext. 2228
or email
bbassett@littleleague.org
Officers Meet with DA, Staff
• Discuss plans for the coming year
• New Board members
• Learn DA’s authority and role with local
league
• Boundaries reviewed/map signed and
dated then
• Coordinate start-finish times for Regular
Season and Interleague Play
• Review district structure and DA election
process
Fundraising Ideas / Methods
•
•
•
•
•
Sponsorships
Fence signs
Decal Day
Program ad sales
Fundraising plans using Little League
sponsors/licensees
• Other fund-raisers using adults
– Bake sales, Picnics, Parties, Dances
• Others?...
• Not all fundraisers will be covered by
insurance, check with Little League
International HQ for approval
Registration Promotion
• Download the
Registration Template
from the Marketing
and Registration Tools
located in the
Chartering &
Marketing ToolkitOnline Resource
Portal
www.LittleLeague.org
– Registration Poster
(Color or B/W
available)
– Media Releases
– Ad Slicks
Registration Promotion
• Call/email previous years players and
remind them about registration
– Ask them to spread the word
– Have a membership drive contest with
rewards given to the highest player
members referring new players
Player Registrations
• Have Multiple Dates available
• Paperwork Needed:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Enrollment & Volunteer Applications
Medical Releases & Injury Policy for league
Boundary Maps
At least 3 proofs of residency within
boundaries date or in force between
February 1, 2012 and February 1, 2013
Financial Statement
Tryout / Draft explanation
Tournament Team selection method
Board approved local league rules and
guidelines
Online League Management
MANAGE PLAYER REGISTRATION WITH
•
•
•
•
•
•
SAVE TIME by allowing parents & players to register online 24/7
INCREASE FUNDS by securely collecting payments online
REDUCE ERRORS by eliminating double data entry & loose
papers
GET ORGANIZED by managing all required documents
BUILD SUPPORT with automated volunteer recruitment during
the registration process
COMMUNICATE by building reports and emails from one
centralized database
League Websites
GET MORE PLAYERS IN YOUR LEAGUE WITH
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
CREATE ELECTRONIC BOUNDARY MAPS using the new Little
League boundary map tool
GET EXPOSURE with your automatic league finder listing
STAY UPDATED with official news items delivered to your site
through the Little League newsfeed
MANAGE YOUR SEASON with rosters, schedules & more
CREATE & PUBLISH TOURNAMENTS with online double
elimination and round robin tournament brackets
USE FACEBOOK with easy-to-use social media administration
tools on your site
BUILD YOUR BRAND with official templates for Little Leagues
Information on ACTIVE/eteamz
FOR MORE INFO OR TO SCHEDULE A DEMO, CONTACT:
ACTIVE Network
888-705-3847
activesports@activenetwork.com
www.activesports.com
www.eteamz.com
Use of Websites
• Eteamz.com (an affiliate of Active.com) is the Official
Online League Management Provider of Little League
Baseball & Softball. Therefore, it is a requirement that if a
league or district has a web site it must be created on
Eteamz.com.
• However, leagues or districts may create web sites
outside of the Eteamz.com platform provided they also
have a web site on Eteamz. Every league, District and or
team is permitted to have a “Free” web site on
Eteamz.com. This will automatically create the site with
the Little League template, which can then link to the
independent site through the Eteamz.com site.
• Use of the Little League trademarks, logos and links to
www.LittleLeague.org are permitted on web sites, but
Little League reserves the right to review any web site that
uses its trademarks and logos. If content is deemed
inappropriate, the league will be required to remove the
offending content.
Regulation II (a)
• Regulation II(a) - Each league shall determine
actual boundaries of the area from WITHIN
which it shall select players. Only those
participants whose residence is within the
boundaries of the league shall be eligible to
participate. Residence, for the purposes of this
regulation, is defined in “Residence Eligibility
Requirements” in the Rule Book. These
boundaries MUST be described in detail AND
shown on a map when making application for
charter. The local Little League boundaries
shall be the boundaries of the
Junior/Senior/Big League.
Residence Eligibility
Requirements
• Residence shall be established and supported by documents,
dated or in force between February 1, 2012 (previous year) and
February 1, 2013 (current year), from THREE OR MORE of the
following categories to determine residency of such parent(s) or
guardian:
1. Driver’s License
11. Financial (loan, credit,
2. Voter’s Registration
investments, etc.) records
3. School records
12. Insurance documents
4. Welfare/child care records
13. Medical records
5. Federal records
14. Military records
6. State records
15. Internet, cable or satellite records
7. Local (municipal) records
16. Vehicle records
8. Support payment records
17. Employment records
9. Homeowner or tenant records
NOTE: Example – Three utility
10. Utility bills (i.e., gas, electric,
bills (three items from No. 10)
water/sewer, phone, mobile
phone, heating, waste disposal) constitute only ONE document.
Residence Eligibility
Requirements
It is recommended that the league require
some proof of residence within the league’s
boundaries at the time the player registers.
Players and their parents/guardians are
advised that a false statement of residence
may lead to ineligibility to play Little League
Baseball or Softball.
Residence Requirements
Under NO circumstance does
ANY person have the authority
to grant a waiver that allows a
child to play in a local Little
League program IN ANY
DIVISION, when that child does
not qualify under these
residency requirements.
Out of Boundary Player?
• What does your Board need to do now??
1. Does he/she qualify for a:
–
–
Regulation II(d) waiver (form provided)
Regulation IV(h) waiver (form provided)
2. If they DO NOT qualify for either waiver,
provide them with contact information for their
proper league and they must register there.
3. Does the Board wish to request a Charter
Committee waiver?
–
Must forward written request with supporting
documentation and comment from league where
player resides.
Regulation II (d)
• Player within any divisional status may be
retained after either moving or having
boundaries changed.
• Siblings whose brother/sister meet the above
criteria may also be retained.
– Player may be retained for the remainder
of their Little League career.
– NOTE: A player who qualifies and
elects not to participate for a season
may not be retained in subsequent
seasons.
The Form – Section One
02/01/12
XYZ Little League
28-12-00
John Adams
151 Hill Road
Williamsport, PA
X
X
17701
Regulation II (d) Defined
Player Information
League President / DA Signatures
Jim Doe
123 Elmira St.
151 Round Road
x
John Adams
Scott Leinbach
Wmspt, PA
17701
Wmspt, PA 17701
Regulation IV (h) Waiver
• If previously lived within the league boundaries
for two years while serving as a dedicated coach,
manager or board member for two years, his/her
son(s)/daughter(s) may tryout and be selected by
teams in that league provided:
– Such service to the league has continued
– Subject to written agreement with league whose
boundaries they currently reside
– League President presents to DA with supporting
residency requirement documents. DA reviews
and signs signifying the documentation meets
regulations
– League maintains form and documentation
Regulation IV (h) Waiver
2/1/12
238- 12- 01
Hometown Little League
John Johnson
123 Hill Road
x
Williamsport
x
PA
17701
Regulation IV (h) Waiver
Jim Adams
Jim Adams
1134 Princeton Ave
1/1/00 through
Williamsport, PA
2/1/02
Jim Adams
2/1/02 to the Present
17701
Regulation IV (h) Waiver
ABC Little League
238-12-02
John Johnson
Scott Leinbach
Bill James
Form Processing
Processing Procedure:
• League president completes form and verifies
the player meets the conditions of Regulation II
(d) or a IV(h).
• League president must compile residency
requirement documentation from previous
residence.
• DA verifies documentation meets the
Regulation.
• League maintains form and documentation for
duration of players career & provides copy to
parent.
• If player is selected to the tournament team, the
form and residency documentation must be
carried with tournament packet
Regulation I (c) 8 & 9
• Requires league to use Little League Official
Volunteer Application for Managers, Coaches,
Board Members and all others with regular service
and/or have repetitive access to children.
• LLI currently provides each league with 125 free,
national criminal background checks which includes
the minimum requirement for a National SOR data
check. You can access them only on the Little
League website at www.littleleague.lexisnexis.com.
• All checks completed beyond 125 are $1 each.
• Failure to comply may result in suspension or
revocation of tournament privileges and/or the
league’s charter by action of the Charter
Committee.
Appointments
MANAGERS/COACHES/UMPIRES
• Committees screen those willing to serve
• President appoints at his/her discretion with
Board approval
• Coaches new TO THAT TEAM shall not be
named until after the draft
• No manager, coach or umpire has tenure
• DO NOT give a reason to a manager, coach
or umpire for not re-appointing or reapproving that person
• Plan to send managers, coaches and umpires
to clinics and seminars
Education & Training
Free Online Resources
• www.LittleLeagueCoach.org
• www.LittleLeagueUmpire.org
•
•
•
•
Other Educational Resources
Little League Coaches Toolkit
Big Al Training Manuals
PCA Pieces
Coaches Box eNewsletter
League Structure /
Scheduling
• Decide league’s age structure
• Determine number of players
returning
• Always look toward expanding
the Major Divisions
• Decide on method for
expansion
• Ensure small divisions have
somebody to play
• 12-year-old Regulation for
Majors/Junior Softball and
Majors/50-70 Baseball
Regulation IV – Softball
•
Local Board of Directors annually determines alignment for divisions
•
Age determination date for SOFTBALL is December 31
•
The player’s ‘league age’ for the current season is the age she was on
December 31
Softball League Age 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
**Tee Ball Division
**Minor League Division
##
##
Little League(Major)Division
Junior League
Senior League
Big League
**-These divisions may be sub-divided
##-May participate in this division under specific circumstances.
Regulation IV – Baseball
•
Local Board of Directors annually determines alignment for divisions
•
Age determination date for BASEBALL is April 30
•
The player’s ‘league age’ for the current season is the age he/she is on
April 30
Baseball League Age 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
**Tee Ball Division
**Minor League Division
##
##
Little League(Major)Division
Little League(Intermediate)Division
Junior League
Senior League
Big League
**-These divisions may be sub-divided
##-May participate in this division under specific circumstances.
Spring
Double Checking
Eligibility
Sample letter to parents of a child who
is to return to a Major Division team,
but has not yet signed up.
Dear Parent:
Our records show that you have not signed
up your child, Billy Smith, who was a
member of the Blue Jays last season.
We must inform you that if Billy is not
signed up by Feb. 20 (draft day), he will be
released from his team and may not be
permitted to participate at Hometown
Little League until next year.
Please call the Player Agent, Thomas
Jefferson, at 555-6789, as soon as possible,
and let us know if he is going to play this
season.
• Do this BEFORE tryouts
• Ensure no ineligible player
is drafted or placed on a
team.
• Contact all players
returning to Major Division
teams who have not
signed up.
• Get statement from the
parent(s) if they are not
planning to return to your
program.
Player Tryouts
• Review league division eligibility
• Prepare a tryout list
– Assign numbers to players
– Organize by division
– Draft numbers affixed to player for
identification
• Provide copies to Managers / Coaches in
attendance
• Have multiple tryouts
The Draft
Leagues must utilize draft methods outlined in
the Operating Manual:
Plan A – existing teams from previous season
remain intact with selection of new players being
completed in a round-table format: the last-place team of
the preceding season gets the first choice in every round
of the draft, the next to last place team gets the second
selection etc…
Plan B – Total Redraft - redraft of previous season
teams, held in two separate parts. 1st Preliminary DraftReturning players to division are selected 2nd DraftPlayers eligible through tryouts are selected to fill
remaining rosters (See Alternate method next slide)
Plan C – Blind Draft – Preliminary & Second drafts
apply. Players separated by age – names placed in nontransparent container – individually selected at random
and placed on team
The Draft
Alternate Method for Plan B
Instead of having two separate drafts (one for
returning players, and one for new players), a
league may elect to conduct a regular draft
wherein, if a number of returning Major League
players has not been drafted by the time that same
number of draft picks remain, those returning
players must be the only players eligible from that
point forward in the draft. (Example: With nine
picks left in the draft, there are nine players who
were Major League players in the previous season
still not drafted for the current year. Those nine
players become the only nine eligible players, and
must be drafted.)
The Draft
• The selection of players for the various teams
within a league shall be in compliance with the
Little League Draft Selection System as
detailed in the Operating Manual.
• NOTE: All candidates who are league age
twelve (12) must be drafted to a Little League
Major Division team or to a Little League
Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division or
Junior Softball Division Team.
• Exceptions can only be made with written
approval from the District Administrator, and
only if approved at the local league level by the
Board of Directors and the parent of the
candidate.
The Draft
• Leagues may submit an alternative
method to the Charter Committee
for consideration, prior to draft
being held
• Team Expansion and Reduction
plans are outlined in the Operating
Manual -- contact your DA for
further assistance
Player Draft / Options
• Options # 2, 3, and 4 must be in writing
to the Player Agent 48 hours prior to draft
1. Brother / Sister Option
2. Brother / Sister of player currently on
team
3. Sons / Daughters of Managers
4. Sons / Daughters of Coaches
Brother / Sister Option
• Two or more siblings in the draft – first brother
or sister is drafted
• Manager automatically has the option to draft
the other brother or sister on the next turn
• Failure to exercise option makes the second
sibling available to be drafted by any team
Brother / Sister Option of Player
Currently on a Team
• Manager may submit an option on a
draftee if the player candidate’s brother
or sister is a member of the manager’s
team
• If an option is submitted, the Manager
MUST draft the sibling within the first
three draft selections
Sons / Daughters of Managers
• If a manager has son / daughter eligible for
the draft, must submit option in writing
• Manager must exercise option at or before
specified round
• Parent / Manager option takes priority over
any other option
• NOTE: Provisions also apply for managers
having eligible brothers / sisters in the draft
Sons / Daughters of Coaches
• New coaches shall not be appointed nor
approved until after draft
• Returning coach may exercise option
through manager provided:
– Coach has served as a coach or manager
(at any level) for the past two years
AND
– Coach is returning to the same major
league team as last year
• NOTE: In order to exercise this option, the
coach MUST qualify under BOTH conditions
Draft Rounds
• If option is submitted for son / daughter of a manager or
coach, candidate must be drafted in or before the
following round:
Draft
Round
Little
League
Junior
Senior
Big
5
9-10
-
13/14
(14 SB)
15/16
4
11
12*/13
15
17
3
12
14
16
18
Trading
• Manager may trade a player up to 14 days
after the first scheduled game.
• All trades must be through and with the
approval of the Player Agent
– Minor League players may not be traded
for Major League players
– All trades must be player for player
– Trades involving a player for draft choices
are not permitted
• All trades must be for a justifiable reason and
approved by the local Board
Duration of Title
• Each player acquired shall,
for the duration of their major
league career, be property of
the team making the
acquisition, unless traded or
released.
Rosters
• Player, manager and coach data must
be submitted to Little League
International by April 1, 2013 or team
rosters by June 5th, 2013.
• Recommended method of use: Little
League Data Center
• A player who is injured must be on a
roster at Headquarters to be covered
by Little League insurance.
• Rosters may be computer-generated
and hard copy forwarded.
Scheduling Games
• Discretion of the local
Board of Directors
• Sunday games are OK
• Season must be half
completed by the day
Tournament Teams are
allowed to be announced
(June 15th or two weeks
prior to the start of
Tournament in their
respective division.)
• Little League
recommends splitting
the season in half
• Allow for “rain-dates”
Scheduling Games
How to Handle Interleague Play
• Must have an approved Interleague Play form
signed by all League Presidents participating
and DA, prior to any games played.
• Recommend that an Interleague Committee be
created with one representative from each
league participating along with a District Staff
representative.
• Recommend that Interleague Ground Rules be
created prior to any games played.
Interleague Play Form
PA
12
X
• Enter State, District and Level of Play
• Remember: Use one form for each division
Interleague Play Form
Brandon LL-238-1201
10,000
3
Jack
Johns
3 15 16
Maynard LL-238-1202
8,000
2
Tim Black
8
8 8
•Enter League names, ID numbers for each
•Enter populations and numbers of teams
•Presidents’ signatures needed
•Enter number of players in appropriate age
sections
Interleague Play Form
X
Scott Leinbach
PA #12
Don Soucy
11/15/11
12/5/11
• Check Combo request for Tournament Play (No)
• Identify leagues combining (No need as combo is not requested)
• Each League must charter (In appropriate division)
• DA Signature / District / Date
• Regional Director Signature / Date (For Tournament play only)
Combined Teams For Regular Season
PA
12
X
• Enter State, District and Level of Play
• Remember: Use one form for each division
Combined Teams For
Regular Season
Brandon LL-238-12-01
Maynard LL-238-12-02
10,000
22
8,000
6
Jack Johns
11 11
Tim Black
6
• Enter League names, ID numbers for each
• Enter populations and numbers of players
• Presidents’ signatures needed
• Enter number of players in appropriate age
sections
Combined Teams For
Regular Season
X
Scott Leinbach
PA #12
Don Soucy
11/15/11
12/5/11
•Each League must charter (in appropriate divisions)
•Forward to District Administrator prior to start of Regular Season
•Check combo request for Tournament Play
•Identify leagues combining
•District Administrator Signature / Date
•Regional Director Signature / Date (if tournament combination is requested)
Charter Committee Waivers
Reasons for requesting a Charter Committee Waiver
• Out of Boundary (Regular Season/Tournament)
• 15-year-olds playing down in Juniors
• Uneven number of players on a team within a
division
• Less than 60% participation for Tournament
• Merge/Split leagues
• Special Games with non-Little League teams
• Combine for Tournament Teams
• Modify Playing Rule/Regulation
• Alternate Draft method
Charter Committee Waivers
Process
• Local League Board votes whether or not to
request waiver
• If Board votes to request a waiver, the
President writes a letter, detailing the request.
Supporting documents are attached and
forwards to the District Administrator
• DA provides his/her recommendation and
forwards to the Regional Office
• Regional Office present case to the Charter
Committee
• Charter Committee will inform Regional Office
• Regional Office to inform the DA
Regulation IV (j)
• Establishes a deadline for waiver
requests regarding player eligibility.
-
Regulation IV(j) - Any request for a
waiver pertaining to the eligibility of a
player must be submitted in writing,
by the President of the local Little
League through the District
Administrator, to their respective
Regional Director not later than June
6th of the current year. Requests
submitted after that date will not be
considered.
The Regular Season
Opening Day!
• Ceremonies should
be brief and
meaningful
• Invite media
• Great time to get new
members
• Select and pay
homage to Top
Volunteer, Mom,
Challenger and Good
Sport of the Year
(send paperwork to
DA)
Regulation IV
Multiple Participation
• Little League (Majors), Minor League, Tee Ball,
Junior, Senior and Big League participants may
participate in other programs during the regular
season provided such participation does not
disrupt the Little League (Majors), Minor League,
Tee Ball, Junior, Senior and Big League season.
• NOTE 2: Consistent with a manager’s ability to
conduct the affairs of his/her team, a manager
may remove a player from the team, subject to
Board of Directors approval (or district
approval, if the Big League (or Senior Softball)
is administered as a district operation), for the
current season if the player repeatedly misses
practice or games.
Protest Committee
• Local league Board
of Directors is totally
responsible for solving
protests during regular
season
• President may call DA,
then Regional
Headquarters for
interpretation of a rule
or regulation (not a
ruling)
President / Vice President
Player Agent(s)
President
May manage, coach or umpire in any division in the
league provided he/she does not serve on the Protest
Committee. The president of record or anyone who
assumes the position or duties of president, on or after
January 1 of the current year, is not eligible to serve as
Tournament Team manager or coach.
Vice Presidents and Player Agents
The Vice President may manage, coach or umpire in any
division provided they do not serve on the Protest
Committee.
The Player Agent can not manage, coach or umpire in any
division in the league in which he/she has any
responsibilities. This may not be circumvented by giving
the person a different title.
Releasing a Player
During the Season
•
•
•
•
•
•
Manager MUST make the
Board aware
Player Agent finds out
why
the release is wanted
Issue goes to Board
If released, player is
notified in writing
Player CANNOT be
released from a Major
team to a Minor team
Player can try out next
season
SAMPLE LETTER TO RELEASED
PLAYER/PARENTS
Dear Jones Family:
The Board of Directors of Hometown Little
League met on (date) to consider a request to
release Betsy Jones from her team in the Major
Division.
The release has been approved. As such, Betsy
is no longer eligible to participate at Hometown
Little League for the balance of the current
season. However, we would like to invite Betsy
to try out for a team next year.
We will retain your address in our files, and will
be back in touch with you when registration is
scheduled for next season.
Bulletin: A Minor League player who refuses to “go up” to a Major Division team, when
called, forfeits his/her eligibility to play in the Major Division for the remainder of the season.
The league may also require that the player be transferred to another Minor League team.
Disciplining a Member
• Committee receives complaints IN WRITING and
reports to the Board.
• Board could decide to take no further action or
send WRITTEN notice to the accused; when,
where and why they need to appear (due
process).
• Board could decide to draft a written warning,
temporarily suspend Membership privileges,
or suspend or revoke Membership privileges
for remainder of the year (2/3 majority vote
needed).
Regular-Season Playoffs
CHAMPION
• If playoffs are games between
first and second half champions
in the same division of the
same charter, no written
permission is needed.
• Regular Season rules ONLY
• Any other games require
written permission as Special
Games under Regulation IX.
• Protests can not be referred to
Regional Headquarters or
Williamsport.
Summer
Special Games
• Used to provide additional playing
opportunities.
• Regular season or Tournament Rules
to be used. Softball may use the
Expanded Special Games Guide.
• Excellent fundraising opportunity.
• Forms must be completed and
approved before games begin.
Selection of Tournament
Teams
Method of selection determined by the local BOD
Recommended Method
Criteria for Selection
Groups Voting
•Eligibility
•Players in that Division
•Availability
•Managers in that Division
•Ability
•Coaches in that Division
•Volunteer Umpires
•Board of Directors
Team / League Eligibility
• To be eligible for Tournament, the following
must be accomplished:
– Charter in division you have Tournament Teams
by June 5, 2013.
– All required waivers submitted and approved
prior to June 5, 2013.
– All Regular Season team rosters submitted to
LLI per Regulation IV (g), not later than April 1,
2013.
– Fees incurred by the league must be paid in full
by June 5th, 2012.
– All Combined Teams and Interleague Play
requests that involve Tournament requests must
be submitted by June 5, 2013.
• Failure to meet any of the above requirements
could result in a team or teams being declared
ineligible by the Tournament Committee.
Tournament Eligibility
Verification Process - Affidavit
•
Requires the following additional information for players,
managers, and coaches:
– League boundary map must accompany affidavit with
locations of each player noted – appropriate signatures
required
– Tournament Verification Form for each player.
– Waivers for players outside the boundary must accompany
affidavit [II(d), IV(h) or Charter Committee]
– Photocopies of birth documents must accompany affidavit
•
– Copies of documents needed to establish residence of
all participants must accompany the team. Actual documents
need to be seen when verification process takes place.
Participation in other programs during the International
Tournament is permitted, subject to the provisions of Regulation
IV (a) Note 2.
Required Signatures
Affidavit
• League President AND Player Agent are
required to sign the affidavit attesting to
accuracy of the information.
• Manager must sign affidavit signifying
he/she understands the playing rules,
rules regarding pitching eligibility, as well
as his/her right to refer protests to the
Tournament Committee.
Multiple Participation
During International Tournament
• Participation in other programs during
the International Tournament is
permitted, subject to the provisions of
Regulation IV(a) Note 2.
Tournament Eligibility
Verification
• Eligibility information, including
residence for the District winner, will be
verified at the district level.
• Eligibility information verified at each
tournament level in addition to original
screening by the District Administrator.
• Eligibility information required to
accompany each team at all levels in
case of discrepancy.
Tournament Mileage
• League is reimbursed ($1 per mile) for
travel to State Tournament levels and
beyond (credit toward next year’s fees)
• Maximum of one round trip per
tournament
• Deadline is September 15th
Fall
In accordance with Constitution
Annual Meetings – Board Elections – Election of Officers
Second Season / Fall Ball
Training and Development
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Same rules and regulations apply, as in Spring season
Can be conducted on an informal basis
Great opportunity to introduce new divisions
Great way to recruit both parents and additional adult
volunteers for next year
Interleague play may roll over from Spring season
Can use current or following year’s age chart
No additional fees (Includes the $16.00 / team charter fee)
Insurance needs to be adjusted if more teams are added
in a division than were chartered and insured in the
spring season
Managers and Coaches for TAD must be appointed and
approved
Make sure to do background checks on all new
volunteers
Send in names of new players to Little League
International Headquarters